Jun ware ‘Purple Splash’ Miniature Jar

Yuan dynasty (1279-1368)
Jun kilns, Stoneware
Henan Province, North China
H: 3cm x D: 4.5cm

The Jun ware miniature jar with deep rounded sides tapering to a straight rim. The bowl has a thick opalescent sky blue glaze with crackle stained dark grey overall. The jar is decorated with a purple splash on the exterior.

The bold purple and blue colour combination seen here is a multi-layered optical illusion steeped in unpredictability. The strong blue glaze colour that mirrors the blue sky is caused when microscopic glass droplets are formed and scattered around the surface of the glaze casting off blue light. In contrast, the vitreous purple splash is achieved through an application of a copper based pigment with a brush which merges with the opalescent sky blue glaze before fired in a reduction kiln.

• A similar example of this form and with a purple splash is in the National Palace Museum, Beijing and is illustrated in Porcelain of Yuan Dynasty Collected by the Palace Museum II, The Palace Museum, pl 176, pg. 398. 2016.

Provenance:
– Private European Collection